Operating mechanism



July 12, 1949. R. R. BUSH ETAL OPERATING MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Shet 1 Filecl Aug. 30, 1945 v AYKE vent 01*8 Raiph R. Bush,

Harvey Clark,

by I

Thgh" Attorney.

Flu:

July 12, 1949. BUSH r 2,476,024

OPERATING ECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 30, 1945 ht Ralph R Harvey Clark, m

Their Attorney,

Patented July 12, 1949 2,476,024 OPERATING MECHANISM Application August 30, 1945, Serial No. 613,504

3 Claims. (Cl. 123-24) '1 Our invention relates to operating mechanisms, and more particularly to mechanisms for operating electric switches and circuit breakers employing an explosive charge as the actuating means. Specifically our invention is an improvement on United States Letters Patent 2,096,619, Prince, granted October 19, 1937, and assigned to the same assignee as the present application.

Certain operations such as the closing of power circuit breakers for example, requires the application of considerable force'throughout a short distance and over a very short period of time.

The closing operation of circuit breakers in addition to providing suflicient force for operating the mechanism against the magnetic forces which are present near the end of the closing stroke, also requires in a great many cases the provision of suiiicient force to charge opening springs which are then in readiness for high speed opening of the circuit breaker. Generally heretofore the closing mechanisms for power circuit breakers have comprised solenoids, motor mechanisms, fluid motors and the like, and such mechanisms have assumed a large part of the breaker cost as compared with the amount of time that the mechanisms are in use. A simple and inexpensive operating mechanism which is capable of eificiently applying adequate closing force is therefore highly desirable.

It is an object of our invention to provide an improved operating mechanism of the aforesaid type which shall be positive andeflicient in operation and simple, compact and inexpensive in construction.

It is another object of our invention to provide a circuit breaker operating mechanism employing an explosive charge as the actuating means which is capable of providing the desired clos ing force throughout the closing operation.

A further object of our invention is to provide a circuit breaker operating mechanism whose actuating means is an explosive charge, and in which the suddenly released actuating force derived from said charge is moderated or controlled by utilizing the inertia of an appropriate and considerable mass associated therewith.

Further objects and advantages of our invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize our invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

For a better understanding of our invention reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is an elevational view partly in section, of an electric circuit breaker embodying our invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the operating mechanism, shown in Fig, 1; Fig. 3 is a sectional View taken on line 3-4 of Fig. 2, with the firing mechanism in a predetermined position and the explosive charge in readiness for use assuming that Fig. 2 shows a complete device; Fig. 4 is a view taken on line 64 of Fig. 2 with certain portions of Fig. 4, however, broken away assuming Fig. 2 shows a complete device; Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 with the operating mechanism in a position to receive the explosive charge and with the firing mechanism in the position it assumes following firing of the charge; Fig. 6 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 2 illustrating a modification of our invention; Fig. '7 is a sectional view taken on line -'l'l of Fig. 6'assuming that Fig. 6 shows a complete device; Fig. 8 is a view of a portion of the device shown in Fig. 6 with the firing mechanism in the position it assumes following ignition of the explosive charge; and Fig. 9 is a view taken on line 99 of Fig. 6 assuming that Fig. 6 shows a complete device,

Although our invention may be applicable to any sort of electric switch or circuit breaker, we have chosen to illustrate it as being applied to an electric circuit breaker of the type disclosed by Linde Patent 2,293,513, granted August 18, 1942, and assigned to the same assignee as the present application. Such a circuit breaker is particularly applicable for use in metal-clad installations which are widely used today.

Referring now to Fig. 1 there is illustrated an electric circuit breaker generally indicated at l comprising a housing structure 2, including a pair of relatively movable contacts 3 and 4, and an associated arc chute 5. Contacts 3 and 4 are connected to suitable breaker terminals 6 and l which are associated with a suitable power circuit to be controlled. Generally such circuit breakers are polyphase circuit breakers, although our invention is equally applicable to single phase circuit breakers. The details of such a circuit breaker form no part of the present invention. Prior to our invention circuit breakers of the type illustrated in Fig. 1 were usually operated to the closed position by a solenoid operating mechanism which included a trip free thrust transmitting linkage, generally indicated at 8 in Fig. 1 and housed in an enclosure 9 supported from housing 2. In arrangements used heretofore, a solenoid for actuating a movable plunger was mounted directly below housing 9 to transmit a force to the collapsible thrust transmitting linkage 8 for closing the circuit breaker, which linkage was suitably latched in the breaker closed position and opening springs (not shown) were also held in the charged position by such latching mean-s. such operating mechanism and linkage forms no part of our invention but is illustrated as substantially identical with the arrangement disclosed and claimed in prior copending Baskerville application, Serial No. 567,468, filed December 9, 1944, now Patent No. 2,458,240, and assigned to the same assignee as the present application.

Our invention is particularly concerned with the motive means generally indicated at H) in Fig. 1 which is adapted to replace the solenoid arrangement of the prior art and to actuate the plunger ll during a closing operation, which plunger functions exactly in the manner of the solenoid actuated plunger described in the above mentioned Baskerville patent.

Operating mechanisms employing an explosive charge as the actuating means for electric circuit breakers have been known for many years and in this regard attention is directed to Read Patent 723,183, granted March 1'1, 1903, and assigned to the same assignee as the present application. Such operating mechanisms, prior to our invention, have not been developed commercially for the reason that prior art arrangements did not properly utilize the forces produced which are substantially instantly available and which should be more profitably distributed over a predetermined period of time. Also, at the date of the Read invention, slow burning powder, which is essential to a commercially feasible powder-operated mechanism for electric circuit breakers, was not available as it is today. It is believed that two features of our invention have made possible a commercially practical device as contrasted with the more or less impractical prior art arrangements. These are the use of a moving piston of relatively small diameter of substantially the diameter of the cartridge containing the explosive charge, and secondly, the provision of a movable mass of considerable magnitude which is effective to receive, momentarily store, then deliver, an appreciable part of the peak energy transmitted to the moving piston by the exploded charge. The significance of these characteristic features will be further explained as the description proceeds.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to of the drawing, there is illustrated a considerable cylindrical mass |2 arranged for vertical movement and guided-by suitable guide rods I3. These guide rods l3 support a base I so that consequently the entire motive means In depends from housing 9. Plunger II is threadedly mounted as indicated at IS in a recess in the upper end of mass 2. A plurality of shims 16 are provided in the recess to properly position plunger I relative to mass l2 and when this proper positioning is obtained plunger II is locked to mass I 2 by means of suitable set screws IT. A suitable resilient Washer l8 may be provided for cushioning mass l2 relative to base It and if desired a similar resilient washer l9 may be provided at the other end of mass I2.

Mas-s I2 is provided with a longitudinal bore 20 arranged in axial alignment with plunger II, which bore is in sliding relationship about a cylinder 2| which, in effect, forms the stationary barrel of the powder-operated mechanism of our invention. Cylinder 2| is provided with a circumferential flange 22 at the lower end thereof,

which is adapted to cooperate with a counterbore in the opening 23 in base so that, when a breech block is applied below cylinder 2|, the latter is anchored securely in base It. A recess 24 in base I4 is adapted to receive a dowel pin 25 mounted in cylinder 2| so that cylinder 2| must be positioned in a predetermined manner and cannot rotate therefrom. Since the mass I2 is guided for reciprocal up and down movement by the guide rods l3, it follows that the bore 20 of the mass 2 may constitute a side support for the'cylinder 2| at all times.

Cylinder 2| is provided with a bore 26 having a diameter which is preferably of the order of /8 inch, or the like, so as to be of substantially the same diameter as cartridge 21 containing the explosive charge which is adapted to be inserted into the lower end of cylinder 2|. As is customary, cartridge 21, which is very similar to an ordinary rifle cartridge except that it is considerably shorter, is provided with a flanged portion 28 for limiting its position in bore 26, a suitable counter-bore for this flanged portion 28' beingprovided. Flange 28 specifically permits suitable ejectors generally indicated at 29, which are pivotally mounted in recesses in cylinder 2| as indicated at 30 in Fig. 4, to elect the cartridge under certain conditions as will be brought out in the following description. If desired, suitable compression springs 3|, see Figs. 3 and 5, may be provided to cause ejectors 29 to assume normally the non-ejecting position shown in Fig. 3 rather than the ejecting position shown in Fig. 5. It will be understood that the ends of ejectors 29 which engage the flange 28 of cartridge 21 are shaped to fit the circumferential surface of cartridge 21, as is clearly shown in Fig. 4.

Reciprocally arranged within bore 26 of cylinder 2| is a piston 32, which piston 32 has a very small diameter as compared with prior art devices, which diameter is substantially that of cartridge 21. Piston 32 is provided with a sealing ring 32' which is preferably formed of hard copper or a copper alloy. A suitable enlargement 33 at the upper end-of piston 32 limits the lowermost position thereof while abuttingly engaging the considerable mass l2 in thrust relationship as shown in the drawings.

At this stage of the description it will be apparent that, assuming the cartridge 21 to be backed up by a suitable breech block, the detonation of a gunpowder charge contained in 21 would cause an explosion productive of high pressure forces against piston 32 for closing circuit breaker For producing optimum mechanical efliciency from an explosive charge, including one using the above mentioned so-called slow burning powder, it is known that the charge should burn while subject to some appreciable pressure. Accordingly, in carrying out our invention we encourage high pressure generation by using the above described small diameter cylinder and piston .which permits little expansion space rather than, on the other hand, providing the large expansion space such as was contemplated in the prior art and as shown, for example, in each of the above mentioned Prince and Read patents. However, the energy produced from such favorable pressure producing condition-s is characterized by possessing a high peak of force toward the beginning of the stroke, which peak tapers off as the stroke continues in what may be described as a force-time characteristic of descending order. Such a characteraeraoaa istic is not inherently suited for closing a circuit breaker for, as already intimated, the opposition to closing presented throughout thev stroke by a circuit breaker has a load-time characteristic of ascending order which reaches a peak toward the end of the stroke as the mechanism drives the breaker contacts closed against opposition from the breaker opening springs, contact springs, and possible short circuit stresses.

In accordance with our invention, we have reconciled the above defined dissimilar and conflicting force-time and load-time characteristics of actuating charge and actuated breaker respectively by interposing the considerable mass l2 between the explosively driven small diameter piston 32 and the thrust transmitting structure 8. As clearly indicated in the drawings, the magnitude of mass [2 is out of all proportion to any other function it might assume, such as furnishing the already described incidental side support for the cylinder 2!, so that it will be clear that the prime purpose of mass I2 is that of receiving and momentarily storing much of the premature peak energy of the explosive charge and later automatically delivering this stored kinetic energy back to the mechanism for overcoming the peak resistance to breaker closing which occurs toward the end of the stroke. By way of concrete illustration, while reducing topractice the operating mechanism of our invention, we found that we achieved optimum results when the mass 12 was made to approximate the equivalent mass of the remaining mechanism and breaker moving parts. Accordingly, the term, "considerable mass, used herein is indicative of one which comprises a substantial part of the sum total of mass constituted by all the moving parts which are motivated by the actuating charge.

Those skilled in the art will discern that the considerable mass 12 of our invention serves as an inertia buffer which is effective to moderate substantially the intensity of the suddenly liberated explosive peak force which might otherwise be severe enough to overstress component parts of the thrust transmitting linkage mechanism 8. Such parts beyond the mass 12 therefore can be made lighter than would be required if the mass I2 were omitted. With the arrangement described thus far, it will be seen that cylinder 2! and consequently piston 32 may readily be removed for inspection and also for the purpose of cleaning the same, which is a very desirable feature for a gunpowder mechanism.

Supported from base it by suitable fastening means are a pair of spaced guides or ways 36, each provided with a shoulder 35 for supporting a sliding breech block generally indicated at 36, which breech block is slidable in a horizontal plane on ways 33. Movement of breech block'36 in one direction is limited by a stop 31 which extends across one end of ways 36 and is suitably bolted to base it, as is clearly indicated in Figs. 2 and 4. Sliding breech block 36 comprises a relatively solid portion for supporting a firing pin 36 and a pair of spaced extensions 33 best shown in Figs. 4 and 5. When sliding breech block 36 is positioned in guides or ways 36, cylinder 2| is held in position in base 14 and the right as viewed in Figs. 2 and 4, so as to be substantially removed from ways or guides 36 before access to cartridge 21 may readily be had both for removal thereof and replacement.

The primary purpose of sliding breech block 36 is to accommodate firing pin 38 which is reciprocally movable in an opening provided therein. A suitable spring 40 may be provided to act against an enlargement of firing pin 38 which may be arranged in a counter-bore in breech block 36 tonormally bias firing pin 36 out of the firing position. Preferably firing pin 38, when actuated in a manner to be described hereinafter, indents cartridge 21 and explodes a primer provided in the end of the cartridge, which in turn explodes the charge of slow burning powder contained therein.

In order that sliding breech block 36 may aid in insuring that cartridge 21 is in position, the solid portion thereof is provided with a cam surface 4| (Fig. 2) which cam surface is designed to force cartridge 21 into position in moving breech block 36 from its loading position against stop 31, shown in Fig. 5, to its loaded position shown in Fig. 2.'

It is desirable that breech block 36 be latched when in the loaded position indicated in Fig, 2 and to this end there is provided a manually actuated latch 42, see Figs. 1 and '4, which is spring biased to the latching position and adapted to engage in an opening 43 as is shown in Fig. 4. in one of the extension-s 33 of breech block 36. When the breech block 36 is moved from its loading position against stop 31 toward the right, as viewed in Fig. 1, manually actuable latching member 42 will latch it in position as soon as the proper position is reached. In order to remove breech block 36 from ways or guides 34 it is also necessary to release latching means 42, whereupon movement to the right of breech block 36, as viewed in Fig. 2, may be accomplished, and not only may breech block 36 be removed but also cylinder 2| and piston 32. Since the sliding breech ways or guides 33 remain bolted to the operating mechanism, it is impossible to assemble the breech block and cylinder as a separate unit so as to misuse it as a gun, which is another desirable feature of applicants invention. At the same time, this arrangement permits ready removal of the cylinder or barrel 2| for cleaning purposes and the like.

As was pointed out above, extractors or ejectors 29 which are adapted to grasp the flange 28 of cartridge 21 are pivotally mounted at one end of cylinder 2!. In order to actuate these extractors to the extracting position when breech block 36 is moved to the loading position against stop 31, as shown in Fig. 5, each extractor 29 is provided with a cam member 43 which is normally arranged to slide in grooves or recesses 35 pro vided on either side of breech block 36. The recesses 35 terminate midway along the extensions 39 and end with a curved end to provide a cam surface for engaging the cams M on extractors 29, as is clearly shown in Fig. 5, to move these extractors to the extracting position against the bias of compression springs 3|. With this arrangement cartridge 21 is automatically ejected and a new cartridge readily may be inserted.

In accordance with our invention, there is provided a trigger assembly generally indicated at 7 41 which comprises a housing 48 bolted to the bottom of breech block 38 as is clearly indicated in Fig. 3. Housing 48. may be formed of metal or plastic and is shaped like a transverse rectangular bar which serves 'as a suitable handle to provide the manual means for operating breech block 38. The end of firing pin 38 is adapted to extend into housing 48, as is clearly shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 5. Pivotally mounted on a fixed pivot 48 in housing 48 is a hammer member 88 which has a portion arranged directly beneath firing pin 38 so as to be in a position to strike firing pin 38 when explosion of the powder contained in cartridge 21 is desired. Pivotally mounted hammer 88 is provided with a pair of crank-like extensions 8| for supporting a latching pin 82. A suitable spring 83 is arranged to bias hammer 88 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3, against firing pin 38. A suitable stop 84 limits the biasing action of spring 83. A U-shaped member 88 also pivotally mounted at 48 supports at its lower end a pivoted spring biased latch or-trigger 88 which is adapted to engage latching pin 82, as is clearly shown in Fig. 3. In order to actuate hammer 80 a pin 51 upon which latching member 88 is pivotally mounted, extends through slots 88 provided in the walls of housing 48. If pin 81 is moved to the right, as viewed in Fig. 3, along slot 58 counter-clockwise, rotation of hammer 88 will result since latching member 88 is in latching engagement with pin 82, with the consequent stressing of spring 83. After a predetermined movement of the hammer mechanism an extension on latching member or trigger 88 will engage a stop 88 to cause unlatching thereof, whereupon hammer 88 is suddenly released for striking firing pin 38. In Fig. 5 the latching member 88 is shown in the unlatched position against stop 88.

It should be understood that any suitable charge of slow-burning smokeless powder may be used in cartridge 21. We have found it particularly desirable to employ both an ignition and a propellant powder in cartridge 21, the ignition powder generally being in the form of a fine powder while the propellant powder is in the form of beads or'sma ll cylinders.

It will be obvious'that with the arrangement described above a self interlocking firing pin arrangement is provided in that cartridge 21 must be properly enclosed in cylinder 2| before firing pin 38 can cause firing thereof. I

-Although the arrangement described above has been illustrated as being associated with a mechanism which requires a pushing force to close the circuit breaker, it should be obvious that our invention can equally well be applied to a mechanism in which a pulling force is required.

In view of the detailed description included above. it is believed that the operation of the circuit breaker operating mechanism will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

In Figs. 6, '7, 8 and 9 a modification of the motive means IQ of Fig. 1 is illustrated. This motive means generally indicated at 88, is in many respects very similar to the arrangements disclosed in Figs. 1 to 5 and the corresponding parts thereof are designated by the same reference numerals. The only substantial difference between the modification illustrated in Figs. 6 to 9, as compared with the arrangement described thus far, resides in the sliding breech block and hammer assembly which will be described in detail hereinafter. In Figs. 6 to 9 a sliding breech block II is provided which includes a pair of extensions 82, which in the firing position are against stop 31. The solid portion of breech block 8| is provided with a cam surface which functions to force the cartridge 21 into position in the same manner as cam 4| described above. Breech block 8| also accommodates a firing pin 83 substantially identical with the firing pin 38 described above.

Breech block 8| is also provided with recesses 84 on either side thereof for accommodating the cams 44 associated with extractors 2-9. A pro- Jection 85 best shown in Figs. 6 and 9, on extensions 82 is adapted to engage with the cams 44 of ejectors 28 when breech block 8| is moved to the loading position which involves movement to the right as viewed in Fig. 6.

A pivotally mounted latching member 88 is provided which engages with a recess 81 in base l4. A suitable spring 88 normally biases pivotally mounted latching member 88 into the latching position as is clearly shown in Figs. 6 and 8. In order to operate breechblock 8|, a D-shaped handle 88 is provided and pivotally mounted latch 86 is arranged to extend in a manner to partially block the opening in Dshaped handle 88, as is best shown in Fig. 6. When an operator inserts his hand into the opening in handle 88 and moves his hand upwardly, release of latch 88 is obtained and breech block 8| may be moved to the right until latch 88 engages with a shoulder 10 in base |4. When in this position, breech block 8| is in the loading position and cams 85 will have operatedejectors 28. Breech block 8| may be completely removed from ways or guides 34 by a furtheractuation of latch 68 to clear shoulder 10, whereupon barrel 2| and piston 32 may be removed.

Supported from breech block 6| is a housing 1| within which is supported the hammer mechanism including the hammer 12 with which is associated a pair of side plates 13 pivotally mounted at 14. An actuating pin 15 extends through side plates 13 and also extends through elongated slots 18 in housing 1| whereby pivotal movement of side plates 13 may occur. The hammer 12 is normally biased to just touch firing pin 83 by means of a spring 11. A trigger 18 pivotally mounted at 19 to side plates 13 is adapted to engage with a latching portion 88 of hammer 12, as is clearly shown in Fig. 6. To actuate hammer 12, pin 15 is moved to the right along slots 18, thereby causing counter-clockwise rotation of the entire hammer assembly, including trigger 18 about pivot 14 with the resultant stressing of spring 11. Upon a predetermined pivotal movement of side plates 13, an end of trigger 18 engages with a stop 8| punched .out of the side of housing 1|, whereupon hammer 12 is released, as is clearly shown in Fig. 8, and is driven against firing pin 83 to fire cartridge 21.

It will be observed that the housing for the hammer assembly in Fig. 6 is arranged parallel with breech block 8| rather than transversely thereof as in Figs. 1 to 5. With this arrangement the housing does not provide as satisfactorily a handle for operating breech block 8| and consequently handle 88 is provided. The operation of the arrangement disclosed in Figs. 6 to 9, which is substantially like that of the arrangement disclosed in Fig. 1, will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

V While we have shown and described various embodiments of our invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various aeraoee changes and modifications may be made without departing from our invention in its broader aspects and we, therefore, aim in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall withinthe true spirit and scope of our invention.

What we claim' as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. Operating mechanism for an electric circuit breaker comprising a movable mass arranged to move when said operating mechanism is actuated, a cylinder removahly supported within said mass, a piston operable in said cylinder, means for generating pressure for actuating said piston comprising a cartridge containing an explosive charge in one end of said cylinder, said cartridge having a same as the diameter or said piston, a breech block slidably mounted below said cylinder for holding both said cylinder and said cartridge in position, a firing pin in said breech block for expioding said charge to actuate said piston, a pivotally mounted extractor at the end of said cylinder for extracting said cartridge, and means responsive to movement of said breech block to the loading position ior actuating said extractor.

2. Operating mechanism for an electric circuit breaker comprising a movable mass arranged to move when said operating mechanism is actuated, a cylinder removahly supported within said mass, a piston operable in said cylinder, means for generating pressure for actuating said piston comprising a cartridge containing an explosive charge in one end or said cylinder, a preach lolocts diameter substantially the slidably mounted below said cylinder for holding both said cylinder and said cartridge in position. a firing pin in said breech block for exploding said charge to actuate said piston, a pivotally mounted extractor at the end of said cylinder for extracting said cartridge, and means comprising a cam on said breech block responsive to movement of said breech block to the loading position thereof for engaging said extractor to actuate the some.

3. Operatin mechanism for an electric circuit breaker comprising a vertically disposed cylinder, a piston operable in said cylinder, an explosive cartridge in the lower end of said cylinder of substantially the same diameter as said piston, means for exploding said cartridge to cause said piston to move upwardly, and a movable bored inertia member disposed in sliding relationship about said cylinder and having a portion thereof disposed above said piston and normally in eneasement therewith.

RALPH R. BUfiH. HARVEY CLARK.

REFERENCES CK'KED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNI'I'ED STATES P 

